Zhang Weili is ready to make history on her second run as a UFC champion.
Only three female fighters have won a UFC championship on more than one occasion. With all coming at 115 pounds, Zhang Weili — the current champion — is the latest to have joined the history books.
Thanks to her strong overall skillset, Zhang could shut the recently revolving strawweight door shut and has expressed interest in facing flyweight queenpin Valentina Shevchenko. Having trained with her extensively ahead of her recent title tilt, ADCC and IBJJF world champion Josh Hinger is confident China’s finest would do just fine against the virtually flawless “Bullet.”
“There is no one I believe that Valentina can rely on in this category,” Hinger stated to Fruiting Body. Hinger said that Weili was the only person who could stand up to Valentina and give her a fight.
“Weili cuts a lot of weight for 115. She really suffers and I think — take it from a guy who’s been cutting for 20 years — I’ve always performed terribly when I’ve cut weight. My performance is better when I’m smaller but more healthy. I’m not worth a single point. Every time that I’ve won no-gi worlds at medium heavyweight, it was dominant and I was five pounds under and no one would score a point on me. Because they’d get tired, I would be able to handle them and would also have strong cardio .”
A move to 125 pounds wouldn’t be the first time for Zhang. A former Kunlun Fights champion, Zhang has been successful in nearly all of her 26 career pro bouts with the exception of recent encounters with Rose Namajunas.
Shevchenko looked more vulnerable than ever after her last defense against Taila Santos. Therefore, someone as skilled as Zhang overall provides an intriguing challenge, to say the least.
“I’m confident that if Weili doesn’t have to do that weight cut — the thing is she will still have to cut to make 125. She isn’t just going to be that weight. She will not lose weight, but she will diet. She might lose a couple of pounds. She’ll probably keep herself at 130 or something. I think she’s gonna perform better, that’s what I believe. I think she’ll have a better performance at that weight. I think she’ll be a better athlete. She’ll become faster and stronger. I believe that will make her a better athlete. She’s already a freak athlete. At 115, she’s a monster. She’s a monster.
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VIDEO STEW
UFC Comebacks of 2022.
Zhang’s 2022 resume.
Best UFC posters of 2022.
Bellator Vs. RIZIN In Focus.
Top 10 PFL fights in 2022.
Close enough.
Wonderboy’s top 10 2022 UFC knockouts.
LISTEN UP
Between the Links. MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and Jed Meshew grade the best and worst from UFC, Bellator, and more.
Heck of a Morning. MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck recalls Stephan Bonnar and chats Bellator MMA vs. RIZIN.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Art.
Da Hui Ri Quan Mian Dui Kang Zhan Remake #bellatorvsrizin pic.twitter.com/XiHwuAerkX
— RYOKKE DRAW /riyotuketo:ro+ (@ryokkes_draw2) December 29, 2022
Nick.
The General taking over the @UFCPI pic.twitter.com/zdJnbs7ASY
— UFC (@ufc) December 29, 2022
Judo flow.
guratsupuringutoRou Dao noLian Xi
Shi Jie noZhong Cun niZu Ji adobaisumoratsuchiyatsuta MMAdemoJue Dui Shi eru
arigatougozaimashita pic.twitter.com/migAEUXMPn— Kana WatanabexDu Bian Hua Nai (@kanawatanabe821) December 30, 2022
Jackie B.
Do. Not. Anger. Jackie. Buntan. #WeAreONE #ONEChampionship pic.twitter.com/dFWqXOvzJA
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) December 30, 2022
Sure thing.
Why not, let’s do it for the fans https://t.co/3V58wJfR7C
— Shavkat “Nomad” Rakhmonov (@Rakhmonov1994) December 30, 2022
TAM.
Quite an accomplishment.
Tenshin.
Court.
Satoshi.
Shameless Tyson.
#RIZIN40 Ji Liang Jie Guo
Di 4Shi He
#RIZIN MMAruru:71.0kgziyonikesu:70.95kg
Da Zun Shen Guang :70. 90kg
Xiang Nan Mei Rong kurinitsukupresents RIZIN. 40
:12. 31(Tu ) 14:00Kai Shi
:saitamasupaarinaoDe naQian Mai richiketsutoBen Ri madehttps://t.co/8Nv7IgaGzN pic.twitter.com/e7hXB2AUYU
— RIZIN FF OFFICIAL (@rizin_PR) December 30, 2022
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mateusz Rebecki (16-1) vs. Nick Fiore (6-0); UFC Vegas 67, Jan. 14
FINAL THOUGHTS
I’m down for Shevchenko vs. Zhang. Not yet… There are enough interesting contenders in each division.
I love NYE for MMA and just for life overall. Happy 2023, everyone. We wish you a safe and wonderful year. Thanks for reading!
EXIT POLL
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Source: https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/12/30/23531467/morning-report-coach-zhang-weili-is-only-one-who-actually-gives-god-fight-to-valentina-shevchenko?rand=96749
